Awards

JOHN F. NEWNAM SERVICE AWARD


An award established by the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Wilmington to be presented to a Rotarian who has made an outstanding

contribution or performed distinguished service in supporting and promoting the ideal of “Service Above Self” through Rotary. The award is named in honor of John F. Newnam whose Club leadership, guidance and outstanding service to Rotary

have set a standard for all Rotarians.


The award is the highest honor that our Club can present to a fellow Rotarian. All Rotarians past or present are eligible for this award. Any member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington may propose a candidate for the award to the Awards Committee who will consider nominations at least annually.

1989     John F. Newnam   
1990     S. Bernard Ableman
1991     C. Robert Taylor   
1992      Harvey C. Smith Jr. 
1994      William S. Hearn    
1997      John J. Callaghan, Jr.
1998      Edward G. Geist
2000     Clifford G. Embley
2001      Marguerite Prueitt
2002     Joseph P. Melloy, Sr.
2003     George E. Alderman
2004     Cynthia L. Morgan

2005     Robert S. Brandt

2006    H. Murray Sawyer

2007     Robert E. Hickman

2008     Gilbert S. Scarborough, Jr. 
2009     Julian H. Booker
2010     J. Cameron Yorkston
2011     Rodman B. Teeple, Jr.
2012     Richard Stat
2013     Geraldine F. Reybold
2014     Stanley M. Diver
2015     J. Kai Lassen
2016     Gwendolyn W. Sanders

2022     Samuel L. Waltz, Jr.

2023     Madeleine Bayard

2024     Samantha Diedrick

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD


An award presented by the Awards Committee to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution, performed distinguished service and/or has brought special recognition or honor to the greater Wilmington community through the advancement of high ethical standards in business, professional or occupational endeavors.

Recipients: 


1978     Irving S. Shaprio

1979     Daniel L. Herrmann

1981     Charles L. Reece, Jr.

1984     Harvey C. Smith, Jr.

1986     Ralph E. Pearce, Jr.

1987     Charles E. Welch

1988     John M. Levinson

1992     E. Norman Veasey

1995     Eldridge J. Waters

1996     Frederick C. Sears, II

1998     Marvin S. Gilman

1999     Jan Dill

2001     Muriel E. Gilman

2002     William Roth, Jr.


2003     James H. Gilliam, Sr.

2004     Betsey Rawls

2005     Evelyn D. Swensson

2007     Marvin (Skip) Schoenhals

2008     Charles Parks

2009     S. Bernard Ableman

2010     Michael N. Castle

2011      Bill and Marcie Perkins

2013     Victor F. Battaglia, Sr.

2014     John H. Taylor (posthumous)

2017     George Krupanski, Jr.

2018     Charles McDowell

2022     Michelle Taylor

2023    Megan McGlinchey

Rotarian of the Year


This award is given at the discretion of the Rotary Club President. During his/her year, they may choose to honor a fellow Club member who has gone above and beyond in service to the Club and their fellow members.

2022     Marguerite Prueitt

2023     Cynthia Morgan

Mahaffy-Miller Circle


Hugh Mahaffy joined the Wilmington Rotary Club in 1961 and attained 55 years of continuance attendance in 2016, never missing a meeting or make up from the day he became a member. In 2011 the Board of Directors honored him as the first and only member of our Club to achieve 53 years of perfect attendance. Albert L. Miller (1914 – 2004) was a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club with almost 60 years of perfect attendance, the last 15 years of which were as a member of our Club. To honor this achievement of these Rotarians, the Board of Directors established the Mahaffy-Miller Circle to recognize those members with perfect attendance.

Elizabeth A. L. Rhoads

Buck Smith